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The annually rivalry game because the Army Black Knights and Navy Midshipmen is the traditional curtain call for the college football regular season. It often draws huge ratings both because it is broadcast over the air without competition, and because the the pageantry surrounding the game.
But this year’s game, which featured a pair of teams who featured in the AP Poll throughout the season, took the fan interest to a whole new level. Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports reports the game drew a remarkable 9.4 rating. Not only is that a new record. But it also destroyed the old record of 8.45 set in 1992.
The massive rating reflects a 31 percent jump from last year to this year. Fisher also reports that it beats out several other high prestige sporting events, including Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in June and the MLB All-Star Game.
This year’s game had a little extra spice not just because the quality of the teams, but also the intensity of the rivalry. Army coach Jeff Monken took a shot at Navy’s program early in the season. During a segment on the Pat McAfee Show he asked if the Midshipmen still had a football program. After Navy picked up its first win in three tries, head coach Brian Newberry was sure to remind Monken.
“It doesn’t. I’ll tell you what, we’ve still got a football team in Annapolis,” Newberry said with a smile when asked if it gets any better than beating Army.
Had it not been for a rough stretch in the middle of the season for Navy, we almost had the two teams meeting in back to back weeks. Had Navy beaten Tulane, it would have squared off with Army in the AAC Championship the week prior and the two teams could well have played for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Instead, they’ll “settle’ for the most-watched game in series history.